Sunday, December 11, 2016

How about a trillion dollar boost for the world economy?

A new socioeconomic study released by the United Nations
Development Foundation (UNDP) Nov. 16 explores the opportunities and benefits
associated with achieving the Paris Climate Change Agreement goal of capping global
mean temperature rise over the 21st century to 1.5ºC (2.7ºF).

Global economic growth would be 10 percent higher – $1.2
trillion greater – by the 2040’s if the 1.5ºC global temperature threshold
could be held as compared to current policies, which would result in
temperatures rising 3ºC or more, according to the UNDP ¨2016 Low Carbon Monitor.¨

That’s a message that should resonate with political leaders, policymakers and
everyday people in the U.S. and worldwide.

Ripple effects

The ecological ripple effects associated with limiting global
mean temperature rise to 1.5 as opposed to 2ºC forecast by leading climate
scientists is striking, as well.

From timber to seafood, that’s changing natural resource
economics. A haven for marine life and reproduction, coral reefs provide an
example.

A 2ºC increase would virtually wipe out coral reefsworldwide (an expected 99% loss). Reducing GHG emissions
and taking other steps to limit the rise to 1.5ºC would save 10 percent or
more, according to Germany-based Climate Analytics, which produced the Low
Carbon Monitor in collaboration with the UN Climate Vulnerable forum.

“Carbon-intensive
modes of production established in 19th Century Europe will incur enormous
social and economic cost in the medium- and long-term, whereas shifting to a
carbonneutral future based on green technology and low-carbon energy creates
wealth, jobs, new economic opportunities, and local co-benefits in terms of
health and reduced pollution…convinced that those countries which take the lead
in embracing this future will be the winners of the 21st Century.”
– First Male’ Declaration of the Climate Vulnerable Forum, November
2009

Energy, industry,
and transport

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in the energy, industry,
and transport sectors are the three most important, and pivotal, priorities,
according to the Low Carbon Monitor.

Failing to realize targets in any of the
three would result in a legacy of high emissions and a failure to set in motion
the system changes needed to achieve the required long-term transformation,
Climate Analytics highlights.

In addition to adding a projected $1.2 trillion to global GDP by
the 2040’s, taking actions to assure the 1.5ºC threshold is held would create
68 percent more energy-related jobs in 2030 as compared to current policies.

Furthermore, the rapid price declines in solar, wind and other
renewable energy technology are driving unprecedented gains in providing
off-grid energy access in developing and lesser developed countries worldwide.

¨[R]enewable energy
with off-grid advantages was the key to addressing energy poverty,¨ according
to the report. ¨[V]irtually all countries are capable of producing multiples of
their current energy needs from renewable sources alone.¨

A global effort to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
essentially to zero by mid-century needs to begin at the start of the next
decade and gain momentum come 2025 in order to have a good chance of limiting
global mean temperature rise 1.5ºC, the report authors conclude.

Thought for the day

Nothing funny about tired Saturday Night Live on Fake News NBC! Question is, how do the Networks get away with these total Republican hit jobs without retribution? Likewise for many other shows? Very unfair and should be looked into. This is the real Collusion!

Individual One’s tweet at 4:52 AM - 17 Feb 2019 after a long, hard day of playing golf at Mar-A-Lago on Day Two of our “national emergency.”

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